Multidimensional Tooling Manipulation via Cam Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for precisely manipulating objects in the medical and pharmaceutical industries face challenges in achieving high precision and synchronization of multidimensional tooling movements while maintaining low maintenance and production costs, as they often suffer from inertial delays and mechanical tolerances, leading to loss of precision and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

A device with a revolving shaft assembly, barrel-shaped main cam, and plate-shaped secondary cam, along with corresponding followers, enables synchronized multidimensional tooling movements by translating and rotating in specific directions, directly determining movement magnitudes and allowing for high precision and low maintenance operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If known mechanical and electromechanical devices are used for synchronized multidimensional tooling movements, then device sturdiness and low maintenance are achieved, but precision and synchronization are lost due to inertial delays and mechanical tolerances

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sturdiness and low maintenanceVSAvoidprecision and synchronization of multidimensional tooling movements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical synchronization systems with an optical measurement and control system. Optical sensors detect the positions of multiple tools, and a control system processes this data to calculate correction values that compensate for inertial delays and mechanical tolerances, thereby achieving high precision synchronized movements while maintaining mechanical system reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where optical sensors continuously monitor tool positions, the control system processes this information to determine deviations from desired positions, and correction values are applied to adjust tool movements. This closed-loop feedback system ensures high precision and synchronization while maintaining the sturdiness of mechanical components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If electronically and sensor controlled manipulating devices are used to correct tooling movement errors, then precision is improved, but production cost and device complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorrection of tooling movement errorsVSAvoiddevice complexity and production cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses optical sensors and electromagnetic fields instead of complex mechanical correction mechanisms. The optical measurement system detects positions non-contactually, and electronic control calculates and applies corrections, replacing what would otherwise require complex mechanical adjustment systems with higher precision but greater complexity and cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a virtual model of the physical system by optically measuring tool positions and creating digital representations of their locations and movements. This virtual copy is then used by the control system to calculate corrections and predict optimal tool paths, achieving high precision without requiring complex physical correction mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Device complexity

If traditional cam controlled tools are used, then device simplicity and low cost are maintained, but synchronized multidimensional movements suffer from inertial delays and mechanical play

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice simplicity and low costVSAvoidinertial delays and mechanical play affecting synchronization

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adds optical sensing and electronic control to the traditional cam system, creating a hybrid approach where the simple mechanical cam structure is maintained for cost-effectiveness, but optical sensors monitor positions and electronic feedback calculates real-time corrections to compensate for inertial delays and mechanical play, achieving synchronization without increasing device complexity significantly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS8297139B2Device for precisely manipulating objects

Publication Date: 2012.10.30 BBS AUTOMATION CARAVAGGIO SRL

AI summary

A device for precisely manipulating objects by means of multidimensional tooling movement cycles, comprising a revolving shaft assembly, a barrel shaped main cam connected in a slidable but rotationally locked manner with the revolving shaft assembly, a fixed main cam follower configured to engage the main cam such that the main cam performs a cyclic main translational movement in the direction of a shaft rotation axis, a plate shaped secondary cam rigidly connected to the main cam, a tooling holder having a main slide slidable in the direction of the shaft rotation axis and a secondary slide slidable with respect to the main slide in a transversal direction to the shaft rotation axis, wherein the main slide is connected to the main cam and a secondary cam follower is connected to the secondary slide.